The day started off building on the foundation work of Day 1, with the main focus being to try and achieve multiple pairs of wingsuit pilot & canopy pilot flying surf style in close proximity with each other.  Jeff Nebelkopf and I stayed paired up while Jessica and Taya continued their adventure together.  Jonathan Tagle took the canopy pilot camera slot on jump 1, while Phil Peggs joined the group today to capture some shots and video in his wingsuit.  We’re excited to see all the images he’s capturing.

On the first jump of the day, Jessica and Taya connected almost immediately after our flock formed and held together while Jeff and I docked and flew in for an awesome side by side setup.  We flew the two incredible linked birds for what felt like 30 seconds or more till 4000 ft. breakoff where Jessica and I dropped our winged friends almost simultaneously and watched as they fell away like bombs towards the Skydive Elsinore DZ.

Together Jeff and I are getting more and more comfortable in the surf style position flying around, docking/redocking and maneuvering ourselves around in all dimensions.  It’s an amazing sensation… Jeff pulls up beside me and we smile… nod at each other like it’s normal to be within arms’ reach, one in freefall/one under canopy… and then he goes to work cruising underneath from the side, out in front slightly, then peering over his shoulder he masterfully de-arches and lifts up into position.  He’s doing about 80% of the work in the initial dock. I’m managing speed with body drag and minor heading changes.  As his rig rises into reach, it’s patience that rules for me… waiting for the rig to arrive so that I can lock my feet into position just above his laterals.  It’s some quick footwork and we’re together, then the majority of the piloting shifts to me as we slowly try and slip towards the other group.  It’s hard to describe how cool the sensations are… suffice it to say, it’s surreal… and way fun!!

The group made several more attempts at building all three wingsuit/canopy pairs together… and we had several dives where 2 out of 3 pairs got together.  Will Kitto joined in and linked up with Jonathan on several jumps as Jeff and I continued our pairing.  Pre-positioning and smooth consistent docks were keys to success, and the day had many valuable lessons for each of us.

The day finished off as strong as it started. The girls focused on a rodeo dock and nailed it… ripping their way across the sky with Lake Elsinore in the background.  David Gershfeld was cruising alongside the pair capturing photos.  Jeff and I continued to expand our comfort flying together and managed to bank our formation a full 180 degrees away from the approaching Ortega Mountains at breakoff and fly it back to the DZ together.  It was a simply epic finish to another incredible day of flight with this amazing flock of birds!!!

Thanks to our sponsors:

Skydive Elsinore
Performance Designs
PD Factory Team
Sun Path
TonySuit Wingsuits
Paralog